Four of the top five comics from GoCollect.com all have one thing in common: Marvel Comics. They are comprised of the "usual suspects"  of Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men, Spawn (Image Comics), and one relative newcomer to this upper echelon namely Miles Morales.  All five had the highest activity over the past week (roughly) for sales. These comics are exclusively Modern Age or Copper Age. What kind of returns have these most popular books provided? Will they continue to be at the top of the most active list for the near-term?

 

Marvel Comics has been at the forefront of the comic book collectibles boom for comics of the last 60 years or so. The Silver and Bronze Age have come into their own and are being joined by the Copper Age. Further, all the books we thought would never have value actually do have value as everyone chases the keys. This will continue at least until sanity resumes.

Title Grade Last Sale Return
Amazing Spider-Man #300 9.2 $750 -2.2%
Amazing Spider-Man #252 9.2 $133 -18.9%
X-Men #4 9.6 $48 +7%
Ultimate Fallout #4 9.6 $355 +26%
Spawn #1 9.8 $152 +52%

Spawn #1; Marvel ComicsThe three books that are increasing in value, each have a catalyst supporting their upward price movement. For the X-Men #4, the first appearance of Omega Red, the catalyst is a possible spot in the Falcon/Winter Soldier TV series. With the magic of Miles Morales, Ultimate Fallout #4, his first appearance is a potential movie involving Spider-Man. Spawn is Todd McFarlane's (eventual) movie and has driven the value of Spawn #1

Amazing Spider-Man #300 and Amazing Spider-Man #252 do not have an obvious catalyst like the other three. Though ASM #300 has driven value up substantially from four years ago due to the Venom movie. It appears a certain generation is driving the value of this oh so popular book. But even with popularity, many sellers have been unloading it at, or just below market.  The moral of this story; it is very good to have a catalyst for your collectible comic book.

Ultimate Fallout #4; Marvel ComicsMiles Morales vs. Profit

This last week has been an interesting mix of  Copper Age and Modern Age comic books. Both seem to be very popular now as Gen-Xers and Millennials grab up books from their youth or that were big during their teen years. The blow-up in Miles Morales's first appearance has been a welcome sight for this investor. I purchased one about two years ago a 9.4-grade PGX for about $80 at a local convention. Why? Because I was betting Miles Morales would get his day in the sun, and he did. The profit motive is very strong in my family and it certainly paid off this time.

Now many don't like Miles Morales because it is seen as a political motive for creating this character. However, for me, there is only a demographic and profit motive from Disney. The naysayers made zero, me, several $100's. Are they wrong? Nope. Are my opinions wrong? Nope. But only one of us is making this obvious easy money from a new character.

There is a transfer or generational shift that Disney has to be aware of in this country. They are modifying characters to stay relevant and current with modern 21st Century audiences.  From a Humanist perspective, these are everyone's superheroes and we should enjoy them or at the very least profit from them. In my opinion, my favorite iconic superheroes will not change in my "mind's eye." Cap is still Cap. Spidey is still Spidey, forever!

The Amazing Spider-Man #300; Marvel ComicsConclusion

Amazing Spider-Man #300 appears to be a very popular book. It has eye appeal, a famous trend-setting artist, and the first appearance of a key character.  This character is only going to grow in popularity from here.  Of all of the above, X-Men #4, Amazing Spider-Man #300, and Ultimate Fallout #4, all three Marvel Comics have a great deal more profit upside to give. Eventually, that "worm will turn" but for now these top "most popular comics" are good bets for the future.